"Push! Thanks it Chrissy, just a little long, she's almost here. Okay again... push!" Jaz was all business, a new life, a baby... cub was a joyous thing and this would be Chrissy and Nicolas' second child. This time around everything hand gone according to plan, Chrissy was no longer human elevating the risk to her or the baby.

Chrissy was now a Were, a Shifter and although childbirth would always be painful, this time there was little to no risk of her dying. When finally Jaz placed the baby in her arms, Chrissy broke into a huge grin, she looked at Nicolas, her husband and mate then moved her eyes to the others that were now gathering in the room.

Each person was important to her, would play a part in the lives of both her son and her daughter. She watched as each person gave her a slight nod. The Pack Alpha's Kasey and Braedon had huge grins on their faces, as did Enforcers Eli, Cade and Nate. Phia was there too, with Kyle's two young babysitters Taylor and Leith.

Both young men had played a part in the delivery of Chrissy's first baby, Kyle. Considering how things went the last time, Chrissy was fairly certain they wanted to see for themselves that she was all right.

Chrissy glanced back at her mate, who couldn't stop smiling. When Nicolas gave her arm a gentle squeeze she cleared her throat. Eyes sparkling with happiness Chrissy took a deep breath, "I'd like to introduce you all to our daughter, Mauve Jazmina Romanoff."

For a moment Jaz froze, wasn't sure she'd heard right. Turning to Chrissy she realised she had heard correctly. Chrissy had a grin from ear to ear and was nodding her head for all she was worth.

Jaz moved back towards the bed, a surprised expression on her face, looked to her brother who gave her a nod. Taking a deep calming breath, Jaz reached out to her tiny namesake. Softly running her fingers over the Mauve's head and struggling for words, "Thank you."

A week later Mauve Jazmina Romanoff was presented to the Pack. The entire day was full of laughter, fun, food and family. Jaz was there, keeping to the edge of the goings on, her self-isolation wouldn't allow her to mingle, if anything it pained her to be there.

Most of the Pack were in attendance. Little Mauve being the star of the event was an angel taking being handled by so many people in her stride.

Jaz didn't get close enough to hold her, she hadn't touched the child since the day of her birth. She knew she should feel joy at the celebration, but all she could think of was how she could slip away without being seen. Holding her emotions tightly, Jaz smiled and chatted when it was necessary and avoided the eyes of both Kasey and Chrissy.

Both of these women had gifts that could either read her or see what was to come. So far she'd be able to block herself from the women and their abilities, but lately she hadn't exactly been as disciplined in holding herself or her emotions together. Yes another reason to slip away.

Next day Jaz sat in her kitchen sipping tea and going over the events of the past week. That Chrissy had in part named her daughter after her, that she cared enough to do so was something of a shock. It warmed her heart, knowing that though she will never hold a child of her own, little Mauve will at least carry her name.

When Chrissy first arrived at the Compound Jaz had tried to befriend her, but as time went by she started to withdraw from her family and the Pack. More and more she began isolating herself from the Pack, from her family. It seemed easier for her to work her way through each day without too much interaction with others.

Jaz didn't want to think too hard about the situation, she had an inkling that Nate inadvertently had something to do with her behaviour, but wasn't ready to go there... wasn't ready to think or consider him at all.

Jaz felt too raw, too hurt. At the same time, she felt like perhaps she had no right to the feelings she had about a situation that had been out of her control. About a man who walked away from her without a second thought.

Jaz gave herself a mental head-shake. She should have been happy and in part she was. Chrissy had been a great addition to the Pack. What's more she had saved her brother. Nicolas had been too close to the edge, finding his mate had brought him back to life and for that she would always be grateful.

She sighed. So much had happened over the past months. Nate finding his mate had brought back memories she had buried deep; memories only one other Pack member was privy too.

She looked up at the sound of footsteps in the hallway to find Jacob standing in the doorway of her kitchen, hand held out, balancing a chocolate cake. "Please tell me you have coffee?" he looked at her tea and shuddered.

Jaz laughed, got to her feet and put a pot of coffee on. Her tea had gone cold and coffee sounded good. "What's the occasion?"

"My dear Jazmina, there should never have to be an occasion to sit with a friend and drink good coffee while partaking of the best chocolate cake Gilbert has ever made!"

Jaz shook her head, "Does he know you absconded with this masterpiece?"

Jacob blinked, his smile growing. "Gilbert and I have an understanding. He makes wonderful coffee and I drink it. I ask him for a masterpiece in chocolate for a friend and he obliges."

So they sat drinking coffee and eating Gilbert's chocolate masterpiece, a moist chocolate cake centred with freshly whipped cream, topped with chocolate frosting containing a hint of mint and set off with strawberry halves around the cakes edge.

Jaz watched quietly as Jacob helped himself to a second slice. He couldn't help laughing at her, "Thank god Were's don't gain weight like humans do." Jaz burst out laughing, which is exactly what Jacob wanted.

They chatted for a while about everyday things, both careful not to touch on the reason Jacob had come to visit with her. When he finally left, Jaz was feeling somewhat better, but still all she wanted was to sit quietly for a bit.

Not five minutes after Jacob had left she heard a soft knocking on the front door. Doing her best not to moan, Jaz got to her feet and with all the strength she could muster headed for the door.

As she got closer Jaz could scent who it was and closed her eyes praying for calm. Phia was a sweet caring young woman. Nate was lucky to have her as a mate and the last thing she wanted was to upset her.

"Hi Phia. What can I do for you?" Jaz asked when she opened the door.

"Umm, if you aren't busy I was hoping to see you... as a doctor I mean?"

"Of course, why don't we head to the clinic and you can tell me what's been happening."

They were silent during the walk to the clinic. When they were seated inside Jaz waited for Phia to begin. Phia was a submission and people had to be aware of it when speaking to her. She was a strong woman, but found it difficult to look a person in the eye and would always try to help those around her.

Jaz could see that Phia was nervous. As Phia's healer it was her responsibility to make ensure she was at ease and able to talk to her. Taking hold of Phia's hand Jaz gave it a gentle squeeze.

"What's wrong Phia? I know we aren't all that close, but for all intents and purposes I'm your doctor, your healer. I will keep close anything you say to me, unless it's something that would put you in danger." She smiled, "Come now, what's got you so worried?"

A tear escaped Phia's eye and she swatted it away with the back of her hand. Taking a deep breath, she looked Jaz in the eye, quickly glancing away. "I'm late." She all but whispered.

It took Jaz a moment for her words to sink in. She straightened up, her spine becoming rigid, her muscles tightening. She found it painful maintaining her calm persona. Even her face hurt as she did her best to unclench her jaw so she could speak.

"Are you often late?" Phia shook her head unable to find her voice.

Realising Phia wasn't just nervous but afraid, Jaz went into what she liked to call her 'healer mode'. "How late are you Phia?"

"About five weeks. What with being changed, getting used to what I am now as well as the move and complete change to my life..." she blew out a breath, not sure how else to explain.

"The last thing you needed to think about was your cycle and when you were due." Jaz finished for her.

Phia's face turned red and she lowered her face trying to hide it. "You must think I'm an idiot?"

"No, what I think is that you have been through a great deal and have been doing your best to come to terms with being a Were and having a mate. Have you spoken with Nate about this?"

"No, I'm not sure if I'm ready for this and he's likely to be all hyped and excited and... if I'm not then... I'd rather find out first. You know?"

Jaz nodded, "Your body works a little differently now that you are a Were. Regular pregnancy tests that you can buy from the pharmacy won't work. I'll do a blood test and let you know the results this afternoon."

Phia smiled, "Thank you Jaz. I was so afraid about all this. You've made me feel like it'll be all right."

After she'd taken the blood sample, Jaz ushered Phia outside. "Why don't you go see what Cade or Angelique are up too? Maybe go see a movie or something to keep your mind of this."

"Okay Jaz and I'll see you this afternoon." She gave the healer a hug and left the clinic in search of something to keep her occupied.

Still in healer mode, Jaz got on with testing Phia's blood. It wouldn't take too long to get the results, what she needed was time to get her head around the fact that Phia might be pregnant, that Nate might soon have a child.

An hour later Jaz found herself sitting at her desk in the clinic doing her best to breathe. Phia was indeed pregnant and she was doing her damnedest to remain calm. She was a professional; she needed to keep it together long enough to give Phia her results.

A full thirty minutes later, Jaz called Phia asking her to come to the clinic. She must have been hovering close by, because it took no time at all for her to arrive. Jaz saw the worry on her face as she entered the room and handed her a slip of paper with the results on it.

Phia could hardly believe what she was reading; she looked up at Jaz and waited. "Congratulations Phia, you are having a baby."

Phia fairly threw herself at Jaz wrapping her arms around the healer and squealing with joy. Jaz had no other option but to hold her back. When Phia finally calmed down, Jaz sat her down so she could talk to her."

She waited until she had Phia's attention, "Years ago I put together an information pack for female Were's. The information will give you a good idea of how to look after yourself and your baby while during pregnancy." She handed Phia a folder with the information she'd need.

"There are quite a few women here you can talk to about what you're going through, how you might be feeling and so on. Your emotions are likely to be all over the place for a while, so you should give Nate the heads up. Once you've spoken to Nate, you could perhaps visit with Chrissy. I'm sure she'd be a big help and you're likely to get son hands on experience. "

"That's a good idea. Thank you so much Jaz. You can't possibly know what this means to me... to us. I've always wanted a family of my own. Now I'm going to have one." Phia gave Jaz another hug and left to find her mate. She could hardly wait to see the look on his face when she told him.

As Phia left so did Jaz's sense of duty; in fact all her senses left her. She was unable to think, to consider what she should do next, every thought honed in on the fact that Nate would soon become a father.

Jaz got to her feet and as if on automatic went about her chores, doing what needed to be done, what was expected of her. Cade and Eli were taking Cord out for dinner and a movie, so she didn't have to worry about organising dinner. Jaz breathed a sigh of relief, she'd be alone for a while giving her time to digest this information and hopefully come to terms with it.

There was no chance of Jaz having an early night; she was too wired, too caught up in what was to happen... what she'd lost. She wasn't hungry, the thought of food caused the knot in her stomach to tighten, so she tried going for a walk.

Jaz walked for hours before making her way back to her house. She'd been gone most of the night walking sitting, thinking, then walking some more. The closer she got to her home the more agitated she became, there was no reason for this then she spotted Nate walking away from the front of the house.

She wasn't sure if he saw here or not, to be honest she didn't care. She turned and ran shifting as she went. All she could think was to run and keep running. Jaz had been closed off for far too long, now for the first time in as far back as she cared to remember she had no control, all the emotions she'd kept under wraps for so long came barrelling out.

Anger had been close to the surface for some time, the feelings of hurt, pain, loss, betrayal, loneliness and hopelessness engulfed her. Then she realised that underpinning it all was such a huge sense of being controlled.

Her life had never been her own, not really. She became what her brothers had forced her to be, everything she'd done was because it was what they'd wanted, what they expected of her. None of it was for her, but for the good of the Pack.

Jaz had always been strong; she'd had to be to survive. She was a Romanoff, had to be a role model for the Pack. Nothing she did was solely for herself, not until Cade and Cord. Even then she had to ask permission to take them in.

No more! No more would she would be their lackey. So she ran, ran until all she could see was the blur of the trees either beside of her. She was moving with all the speed of her kind, concentrating only on the next step of the run. All she knew all she could feel was the need to move and keep moving.

It was almost dawn. That time of morning where shadows have a life of their own, when the light breaking into a new day is at one point so bright after the darkness of night that you are all but blinded. Jaz blinked her eyes, growling, knowing she should slow down, but another part of her, the part that had taken charge said to hell with it. She would not, could not stop.

Suddenly there was noise; the sound of an engine – a car, a screech off brakes, the flash of lights, then darkness...